Lived Experience Forum

[Cuzin]

For reasons that don't fit with my particular response here, I won't go into the whole DSP bit....... (grrrr), however, I really want to encourage anyone who is able to to look into peer support.

At this point, I have been a (voluntary) peer suppport worker for 11 + years with people with MS, which has it's own associated mental health issues (due to living with the unpredictability of the disease, suddenly having your who 'life map' changed, and a higher disposition to depression.

I have found it to be great for my own mental health, as I feel better helping someone else, often just by listening, or relating how I solved a particular issue. My work is mainly done by phone, as I usually deal with people in rural/regional/remote areas.

[Cuzin]

Hi,

I have gone back to study (albeit very very part time with an on campus course, but also a web based uni course that is much, much more supportive than the campus based one).

It helps give me a bit of confidence back after being knocked downso many times. And, with the exception of the disability worker at the campus uni here, I have found the workers for online degrees/diplomas etc incredibly well informed, helpful, and really want you to succeed. I have found that if they don't understand your particular disease, they will go out of there way to research it. And even better, at your own pace, in your 'good times', and with a whole forum of others studying in the same way, who help to support too.

[kenny66]

Well, I finally put in my DSP application- Lets see how it goes

Kenny

[Alessandra1992]

Good on you Kenny!

[kristin]

Well done Kenny, good luck. Hopefully given what you're dealing with they'll see sense first time around. Don't be too put off if you have to persist though. I believe it can make a big difference who you get for the Job Capacity Assessment.

Kind regards,

Kristin

[Amber]

Good for you Kenny.  I hope it goes well.

Amber

[CyberTrekker]

And never forget, the foremost rip-off artists and bludgers are politicians, governments and business.